Tomoka!
Daddy...
Tomoka!
Let's go home.
You'll regret this!
Letting the kidnapper get away
is something you will definitely regret.
KANAGAWA PREFECTURAL POLICE
The room was locked from the outside so nobody could get out.
It was sealed up tight so almost no light came in.
There are eight kinds of tracks from sneakers and leather soles.
Since the shapes are clear, we think they were made as camouflage.
Very painstakingly done then?
Forensics can't pick anything out either. This really ticks me off.
What's this from? A camera?
Oh, yes.
Forensics thinks a camera was installed there.
The only fingerprints were Tomoka's.
Since they're everywhere, we think she was free to move around.
But when Haruto Narusawa and Todo entered,
Tomoka was blindfolded and bound.
It was probably to keep her from resisting or shouting.
In other words, the kidnapper
really did intend to kill her.
Her physical condition is good.
However, the psychological trauma is deep.
She's become afraid of the dark and closed spaces.
What should we do now?
Gradually returning to normal life without rushing things is most important.
You should consult with a child psychiatrist
about how to proceed with things from here on.
All right.
Well...
I saw your online press conference.
I really am happy for you.
I have a child about the same age as her.
Goodbye.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
Michiru?
Haruto.
This is the Detective-Sergeant, the Criminal Affairs Director,
and the Criminal Investigations Division Chief.
As your family lawyer, they asked me to consult you about their press release.
Okay.
I'm Yoshino.
I'm sure you must be very unhappy with us about this incident.
However, to keep the investigation details secret,
we'd appreciate it if you didn't disclose how Tomoka was rescued.
In the interest of arresting the kidnapper.
We appreciate your cooperation.
Of course.
Well, actually,
we don't hold any grudge against the police.
-We really appreciate your cooperation. -No problem.
Excuse me. Can we speak with Tomoka?
We'd like to talk with you a little, okay?
Did you see the kidnapper's face?
Did you talk to the kidnapper?
They put a tablet computer in the room
and used a robotic woman's voice
to talk to me.
Did you talk to them about your field trip?
Like where you went on your first-grade field trip?
Anything else?
They said if I tried to escape...
they'd kill me.
Sorry about this.
Can we ask you a little more?
When your father came to rescue you, the kidnapper was still there, right?
When they blindfolded you,
you didn't happen to see their face, did you?
They used the tablet
to tell me to close my eyes.
Then someone came in
and put tape on my mouth.
They put something
over my head.
Well, I think this is enough--
Do you remember anything
about smells or sounds then?
Anything at all?
That's enough!
It's all over, Tomoka.
You don't have to think about it anymore. It's okay.
Excuse me.
Tomoka, let's go over there, okay?
Take it nice and easy. Good. It's okay.
Please leave.
-That scared you? -Oh, I'm so sorry.
Sorry. It's okay.
It's all over now, okay? It's all over.
-It's okay. -That's right.
Relax.
That goddamn kidnapper really pisses me off.
Kidnapping is the most contemptible of crimes.
Mr. Katsuragi!
I'm sure Haruto Narusawa already told you
that he was asked about the field trip location
the first time the ransom was to be paid.
Just like four years ago. It's the same person.
If you knew that, why didn't you chase the kidnapper?
For Tomoka's sake.
I am...
continuing to investigate to get Koharu back.
The police will do their utmost to solve this case as well, right?
The only person I can trust is you, Mr. Katsuragi.
I'm begging you.
Mr. Katsuragi, never give up
and catch that kidnapper.
You'd better believe it.
Rest a bit and then we'll go home.
From now on, Mommy and I will stick with you.
Now, in other news.
In the case of the kidnapping of Tomoka,
the daughter of President Narusawa of Harukana Online Games,
Tomoka was rescued last night.
-Thank goodness. -Thank goodness she was found.
Yes.
...in a vacant house in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture.
The kidnapper is still at large.
Welcome back, Tomoka! I'm so happy for you!
Welcome back, Tomoka.
Here you are.
-Thank you for this food. -Thank you for this food.
Thank you for this food.
Delicious.
Good night.
-You can do it! -If you try!
See, we can do it.
He's so energetic.
He's like Q-Taro.
He sure is.
See you later.
Good morning.
I'm not sure these are right.
What? Let me see.
Oh, I get it.
You okay?
That's hot... I'm okay.
Okay, now the next one.
YOKOHAMA SEIFU WOMEN'S MIDDLE SCHOOL 2023 ENTRANCE EXAM RESULTS
YOU PASSED. CONGRATULATIONS.
Oh, you did it!
I did it! Mommy!
You worked so hard, Tomoka!
Thank goodness!
You've become known as a very competent lawyer. How does it feel?
I only did what was natural as a close friend.
Kidnapping children is despicable.
Can you believe it? Kidnapping for ransom in this day and age.
You know, that kidnapper is so rash.
TODO RESEARCH SERVICE
Looks nice.
Hey!
Nice place.
Congratulations.
Thanks.
Ready. Cheese.
SEND ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE KIDNAPPING OF TOMOKA
YOKOHAMA SEIFU WOMEN'S MIDDLE SCHOOL 2023 INDUCTION CEREMONY
Hey.
Have you seen this?
TODO RESEARCH SERVICE
You wrote this, didn't you?
What's this all about?
Whoa! Haruto!
Don't play dumb, dammit!
It wasn't me.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE TOMOKA NARUSAWA KIDNAPPING
JUST HOW DID THE NARUSAWAS GET THEIR BELOVED DAUGHTER BACK?
We'd appreciate your help.
We're the police. We'd appreciate your help.
Take one, please.
We're the police. We'd appreciate your help.
You worthless people.
We'd appreciate your help.
Take one, please.
-We'd appreciate your help. -Yoshino...
Take one, please.
Thank you.
Please, allow me to question Tomoka again.
You're not allowed anywhere near the Narusawas.
Tomoka's the only one who's been with the kidnapper.
Since that tell-all book came out,
the Narusawas are the heroes who rescued their daughter,
while the police are the villains who interfered.
If you get anywhere near the Narusawas now,
we'll just get criticized.
And you know what?
The top brass aren't very happy about you connecting this
with Koharu's kidnapping.
Both Koharu and Tomoka,
the two victims, must be connected in some way.
KOHARU FIVE YEARS AGO
The name of our new app is "Dungeon Table."
DUNGEON TABLE
With this app, you'll complete dungeons in Ribbit's world and collect recipes.
If you cook and upload photos of them,
the characters will eat the food which gives them points.
With this, you can learn how to cook while having fun.
You can also enjoy the food you cook with your family and friends.
We had assistance in the selection of the recipes
by the talented cooking expert, Michiru Narusawa.
This app has been a collaborative effort by this couple.
We're putting everything into
developing it for next month's release.
We hope you enjoy it.
NEW PRESIDENT OF NEX HOLDINGS AKIRA AKUTSU
We'll now take your questions.
Were you the person who wrote this book?
As I've said many times before, I did not write it.
But only the four of you,
including the lawyer, Mr. Miwa, and former detective, Mr. Todo--
The investigation is still ongoing, so your question cannot be answered.
Damn...
That is all the questions we'll take.
Thank you very much for gathering here today.
Mr. Narusawa.
You must be looking forward to your new baby.
Thank you.
That will be all for the announcement of Harukana Online Games' new app.
I knew they'd ask about that tell-all book.
Questions like that were supposed to be prohibited.
You held this exactly one year later on purpose, didn't you?
You said today would have the biggest impact.
This game's taking a ton of money to develop.
So this thing has got to be a huge hit.
You're still putting work first. You haven't changed a bit.
What?
I'm helping out more than before.
-Oh, really? -What? I wash the dishes.
And I even wash the bathtub sometimes.
That's not what I'm talking about.
Then what do you want me to do?
Excuse me.
Mr. Akutsu contacted us.
The press conference had over 500,000 viewers
and is getting a great reception.
It's all thanks to you, Michiru.
I'm very sorry about the rude question.
It's okay. I'm glad I could help.
Oh, please sit down.
So do you know who wrote that book?
-Miwa. -What?
I mean, who else could it be?
Daddy!
Yuzu!
You hungry?
Yes!
Okay. After a nice lunch, why don't we go to the pool too?
What? But I didn't bring a swimsuit.
Then buy one.
Can I?
Of course. I'm the boss of a law firm after all.
Let's go.
All right!
There was tons of math.
Oh, I hate math!
-What a pain. I can't stand that stuff. -I couldn't understand the teacher either.
My dad's here.
-Good evening. -Good evening.
-What are you doing? -Isn't it obvious? I came to pick you up.
Forget it. I'm going home on the bus with Misaki.
Hey. Don't be like that.
Oh, I'll take you home too, Misaki.
Oh, I need to drop by the bookstore. Thanks anyway.
-Oh, is that right? -Yes.
Okay. Say hello to your mom and dad.
Okay, I will. Goodbye.
-Okay. -See you, Tomoka.
I told you I'd come home on my own.
I wanted to go home with you.
-Creep. -Cut that out.
Go on. Get in.
-Okay. -There.
You okay?
What do you mean?
Oh, well... Then...
Let's go home.
We're home.
-I'm home. -Welcome home.
Pizza?
Yes. Oh, you wanna put on the toppings?
Yes!
Then go wash your hands.
Okay.
Michiru.
Yes?
On the way back, she dropped her phone in the car
and panicked when it got dark.
I'll tell Dr. Nagamine and ask about her dosage and things.
Okay.
Wow!
I'll make this one a seafood pizza.
What? Hold on!
You know, if you only put shrimp on it, it'll only taste like shrimp.
-What? But the more, the better. -You mean you'll pile it high?
-Right. I'll pile it on. -Well, all right.
You want a balance.
A balance?
UNKNOWN CALLER
Work?
What?
Yes. Sorry.
Hello?
It's been a while, Haruto Naru--
RIBBIT WALKER YOU HAVE A NEW MESSAGE
WHY DID YOU HANG UP?
UNKNOWN CALLER
Hello?
I have kidnapped again.
Tomoka's here at home.
-I'll go and change. -Okay.
I have kidnapped Yuzuki.
Yuzuki?
The daughter of Aoi Miwa.
If the police are contacted, I will kill Yuzuki.
I will call at 10 p.m.
I want to speak to Miwa at that time.
Oh, let's order something.
I was at the pool with my kid all day. I'm totally wiped out and starving.
I see.
HARUTO NARUSAWA
-Here. -Hey...
Hello?
Yes, hello. It's me.
Todo?
Yes.
Miwa and I are drinking together to mark a year since the kidnapping ended.
Let me talk to Miwa.
Listen.
Does Miwa have a daughter named Yuzuki?
What's this all about?
Ask your wife right now if she's at home.
Why?
That kidnapper called me.
They said they kidnapped Yuzuki.
At any rate, when you find out, call me right back.
Okay. Got it.
What's wrong?
Oh, some trouble at the office.
The pizza's almost done.
Okay.
How is it?
Nice. It's looking good.
You know, I think...
ITSUKI TODO MIWA'S DAUGHTER HASN'T COME HOME YET.
WE'RE GOING THERE NOW.
I knew it. It's a good thing I topped it with lots.
Piling it high was a good idea.
It looks delicious. The one you made looks good too, Mom.
Sorry. Something urgent has come up.
What?
It's almost done.
I'm sorry.
Good evening.
You going to the office now?
I thought you were told not to come to our home anymore.
I was in the area, asking around, and happened to see you.
Would it be possible to talk to Tomoka?
She has nothing else to say.
I'd like to take Tomoka with us to visit where she was held--
I told you, no way!
Right now, Tomoka has an extreme fear of the dark.
Her doctor has told us
to avoid reminding her of the incident as much as possible.
Above all, the psychological trauma hasn't healed.
All right. I'll contact you again another time.
Oh, you came.
Let me get this out.
I got divorced three years ago.
What?
I haven't seen my ex, Satsuki, for ages.
I've only been able to see my daughter once a month since then.
So, your ex-wife doesn't know...
Long time no see.
You called out of the blue. What's going on?
You know him, right?
That's Haruto Narusawa, the national hero who saved his daughter.
And that's Itsuki Todo.
And this is my ex-wife, Satsuki.
Nice to meet you.
Oh, we met at the wedding--
I'm sorry, but I don't have time for this.
This is about Yuzuki.
I think...
Yuzu was kidnapped.
I was called by the person who kidnapped my daughter.
They said they kidnapped Yuzuki.
Hello?
I got your number from your daughter's phone.
Mr. Narusawa, who is there?
Yuzuki's mother and father,
and a man who helped out when Tomoka was kidnapped.
There are four of us.
Prepare 500 million yen by tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Hold on!
Did you really kidnap Yuzuki?
Yes. If you contact the police, I will kill Yuzuki.
Why did you kidnap Yuzuki?
Because I figured that you wouldn't contact the police, Mr. Miwa.
You have already seen that it can end successfully.
Don't give me that crap.
I'll pay 500 million.
I promise not to contact the police. So give us back Yuzuki!
I would like Haruto Narusawa to do the negotiating.
Why me?
Because I can trust you more than anyone else.
I will call you tomorrow at 6 p.m.
UNKNOWN CALLER
DADDY
Yuzuki... Yuzuki is fine, right? She hasn't been hurt, right?
She should be just fine.
She'll be able to move around freely.
She should also have water, food, a place to sleep, and even a toilet.
If we handle this ourselves, I swear we can get her back.
For Yuzuki's sake, trust me.
I swear I'll get her back.
You're practically a stranger!
You've rarely seen her and just play at being a father.
When Tomoka was kidnapped,
if the police didn't get involved, it would have gone a lot easier.
I'm calling the police.
What about the 500 million yen?
Without 500 million yen, we'll never save Yuzuki.
I'll ask the police--
The cops will never loan you the money! Isn't that right, Haruto?
We have to get the money ourselves.
Then what are we supposed to do?
I'll pay.
If we just hand over the money, we'll get Yuzuki back. So...
please don't call the police.
I'm begging you.
Do you actually have 500 million yen?
I'm independent now and have my own law firm.
I can get 500 million somehow.
We've succeeded once in getting Tomoka back.
-You shouldn't contact the police-- -Wait!
Please let me think about it.
How did it go?
I think I convinced her. She won't contact the police.
Haruto.
Loan me 500 million.
What?
I thought you said you had your own law firm.
I'm independent,
but it's because I was fired from the firm for having an affair.
Right now, I'm just scraping by delivering lunches to offices. I'm broke.
In fact, I'm borrowing money to pay child support.
Then
why did you tell that lie?
I wanted to look cool to my daughter.
So I lied and said, "I'm the boss of a law firm."
You know what it's like to be the father of a kidnapped girl, right?
I'll owe you for life. Loan me 500 million.
I am still grateful
that you rescued Tomoka.
But...
Oh, but you see...
That tell-all
hurt me and my family.
Tell me honestly.
You wrote it, didn't you?
Yes.
It was me.
Miwa...
I desperately needed money.
I'm sorry. I apologize.
I'll loan you the money.
Pick it up at my office tomorrow. However...
that's all I'm doing for you.
Hey, what about negotiating?
It's okay. As long as I've got the money, I'll work it out.
See you, Haruto.
I'm counting on you for the money tomorrow.
Oh. What?
Did you wait up for me?
No. Tomoka woke up crying.
Is she all right?
She's calmed down.
Lately, she wakes up crying a lot more.
That tell-all... It may have brought back the bad memories.
I wish I could get her to forget them.
It'll probably take her whole life.
You want a back rub?
Please.
-When will you learn? More like this. -Huh? Oh, sorry.
Okay.
You know what it's like to be the father of a kidnapped girl, right?
A year ago,
when I went to rescue Tomoko,
I felt ready to die for someone for the first time in my life.
I've been risking my life since I gave birth.
Yes, you're right.
But...
I wonder if I could do the same thing...
if it were for someone who wasn't family.
What are you talking about?
What? Oh, I'm just speaking theoretically.
If there were another kidnapping
and their parents told me, "Please help us!"
What would you do, Michiru?
I could sympathize, but I would politely decline.
Why?
I wouldn't want to make Tomoka worry.
Even if people complained, I would protect my own child.
Yes, I guess you're right.
It would be dangerous for you too.
For me?
One year ago, you could have been killed, you know.
The same thing could happen again.
-I told you. Like this. -What?
Oh, sorry.
Here?
Yes...
Excuse me.
You okay giving away that money?
I withdrew it from the company's account.
I'll explain it somehow.
Where is he?
With his ex-wife.
Satsuki is in pretty bad shape.
I'll never forgive him for writing that tell-all.
Anyway, I'm praying that Yuzuki returns safely.
What is it?
Actually...
It was me.
What?
That tell-all...
I wrote it
and sold it to a publisher.
Why?
To smoke out
the kidnapper from five years ago.
Five years ago...
Koharu
was kidnapped.
My daughter.
You're kidding!
They asked for ransom money.
A gag order was placed on the press.
I was in the Investigation Department
and got the support of Mr. Katsuragi and the prefectural police
and went to pay the ransom.
Hello?
Be at the location where Koharu went
for her first-grade field trip in 30 minutes.
Her field trip...
I didn't know the answer.
I was always working.
I had left
Koharu's upbringing all to my wife.
Mr. Katsuragi
got the location from my wife
and told me over the radio.
It's Children's Nature Park.
-The deal is off. -They found out the police were involved.
CALL ENDED
Hey, hold on. No.
Hey! Wait! Hey!
What happened?
It turned out like it did with you.
But...
we never got a second chance.
The kidnapper never contacted us again.
Koharu is...
still...
missing.
The gag order is still in effect.
Information on it still can't be shared.
After the kidnapping, my wife left me.
DON'T LOOK FOR ME.
Ever since then, I haven't been able to contact her.
I quit the police
and started searching for my daughter on my own.
That was when Tomoka was kidnapped.
When they asked you where she went on her first-grade field trip...
I knew...
It was the same kidnapper.
That's why
I wrote the tell-all.
If I wrote the details of the case that the police were hiding,
I was sure some new testimony or info would come out.
But, as of now, I haven't gotten any new info at all.
Why didn't you tell me?
I can't tell anyone about that kidnapping.
Haruto, you know what it's like.
Have you...
told Miwa?
When the tell-all was published,
Miwa came over really ticked off.
The only people who know the stuff in here are us four.
Which means it was you who wrote this, Todo.
You know Tomoka's still suffering from the aftereffects!
So why the hell did you write this goddamn crap!
For my family.
To get Koharu back,
I'll do anything.
At that time,
I told Miwa everything.
But then...
He said, "We'll tell them I wrote it."
He said that would be more believable.
It must have been brutal for you...
When we went to rescue Tomoka...
Daddy...
Tomoka!
If that was the case,
then you must have desperately wanted to catch the kidnapper.
But I made you
a promise.
That
I wouldn't touch the kidnapper.
Man...
You're kidding...
I'm glad that
Tomoka came back safe.
Due to my selfishness...
Michiru
and Tomoka were hurt.
I'm truly sorry for that.
MICHIRU NARUSAWA
WE'VE GOT DINNER WITH MR. AKUTSU, SO COME HOME EARLY.
UNKNOWN CALLER
Hello?
Do you have the 500 million yen?
Yes.
Where is Haruto Narusawa?
He's not here. I'll do the negotiating.
The negotiator will be Haruto Narusawa.
Yuzuki is my daughter. This doesn't concern him.
I'll decide that.
Haruto's wife is pregnant
and Tomoka is still suffering from what happened to her.
Enough of this. Let him be!
Then I will kill Yuzuki.
It's money you want, right? Who cares who gives it to you?
Get Mr. Narusawa on the phone right now.
Ten.
-Hey! Wait! -Nine.
-Hey, please! Hold on a minute here! -Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
The kidnapper wants to talk to you.
Four.
Three.
-Two. -Can you hear me?
I know you better than anyone else.
I swear we'll safely hand over the money.
So don't do anything to Yuzuki.
Tomorrow at 9 a.m., I will tell you how the handoff will happen.
I'm counting on you, Haruto Narusawa.
Are you sure you want to do this?
You'll make Michiru and Tomoka worry.
When Tomoka was kidnapped,
I didn't even have to ask, but you guys helped me out.
So this time...
it's my turn.
First is...
Yuzuki.
We'll get Yuzuki back.
Then we'll figure out who the kidnapper is.
And lastly,
we'll find Koharu.
About the Tomoka Narusawa and Koharu Todo kidnappings,
I think the only connection is that their parents went to the same university.
Excuse me.
This is a recent picture of Tomoka.
The top brass have told us we have to stay away from the Narusawas.
There's nothing we can do.
The emblem on their uniforms are the same.
That's Yokohama Seifu Women's school.
But Tomoka started in middle school while Koharu started in elementary school.
There's no connection between them.
Akutsu's daughter has been there since elementary school.
She was also in the same grade as Koharu Todo then.
KOHARU FIVE YEARS AGO
Tomoka wanted to go to the same school,
so she took the middle school entrance exam.
Sorry for being late.
-You're late. -You're late.
-I'm sorry. -Good evening.
-Sorry. We already started eating.
That's perfectly fine. Sorry, I'm late.
-Oh, thank you. -Was it work?
Yes. Oh, there was suddenly a problem at work.
Oh, after announcing that new app, things must be rough.
-That's right. -No talk about work.
That's right.
The connection between the two kidnappings
is Akutsu.
This is very good.
It's nice. Yes.
Translated by Brian Athey